Many professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) must go through a certification process to practice. Should software engineers be certified?

Many professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) must go through a certification process to practice. Should software engineers be certified? What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of requiring certification? please supply full references

Certification is a document used to attest an individual or an organization whomeets minimum standards or qualification in a specified area. Certification isusually issued by the governing body...